Quench system for pipes

ABSTRACT

A quench system for pipes in which jet streams of quench liquid are directed against only the outside surface of an open ended pipe as it passes therethrough. The jet stream nozzles are designed to deliver solid jet streams and are arranged in parallelly spaced apart and coaxially disposed annular groups. The nozzles of each group are directed so that the axes of their jet streams lie in a single plane that is perpendicular to the pipe axis. The axes of the jet streams of each group are also uniformly and adjustably offset or angled with respect to radial lines extending from the pipe axis. The jet streams of a planar group become confluent on the surface of the pipe and the confluent portion has centrifugal components of force which induce the quench fluid to separate from the surface of the pipe. This arrangement enables the spent quench fluid to be expelled through the space between the planes of the incoming jet streams without accumulation of quench fluid from non-adjacent planes. A barrier may be provided ahead of the first group of liquid jet nozzles to limit the frontal flow of quench fluid.

United States Patent Hemsath [72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl.. ..266/6 S [51] Int. Cl. ..C21d 1/62 [58] Field of Search..72/20l; 266/4 R, 4 S, 6 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,747,587 5/1956 Strachan..266/6 S 3,189,490 6/1965 Scott ...266/6 S 3,360,976 1/1968 Ungerer..266/6 S Primary ExaminerGerald A. Dost Anomey-Harold F. Mensing 1 June20, 1972 ABSTRACT A quench system for pipes in which jet streams ofquench liquid are directed against only the outside surface of an openended pipe as it passes therethrough. The jet stream nozzles aredesigned to deliver solid jet streams and are arranged in parallellyspaced apart and coaxially disposed annular groups. The nozzles of eachgroup are directed so that the axes of their jet streams lie in a singleplane that is perpendicular to the pipe axis. The axes of the jetstreams of each group are also uniformly and adjustably offset or angledwith respect to radial lines extending from the pipe axis. The jetstreams of a planar group become confluent on the surface of the pipeand the confluent portion has centrifugal components of force whichinduce the quench fluid to separate from the surface of the pipe. Thisarrangement enables the spent quench fluid to be expelled through thespace between the planes of the incoming jet streams withoutaccumulation of quench fluid from non-adjacent planes. A barrier may beprovided ahead of the first group of liquid jet nozzles to limit thefrontal flow of quench fluid.

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QUENCH SYSTEM FOR PIPES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Numerous prior artdevices and methods are in existence for quenching pipes as theyconsecutively travel endwise into and through a quenching manifold whichfloods the outside of the pipe with quenching fluid. One of the mostserious problems encountered with such quenching systems is thenon-uniformity of quenching caused by quenching fluids being propelledinto either or both the leading and trailing ends of the pipe to bequenched. Non-uniformity may also be in the form of hard and soft areasor bands extending along the pipe where adequate fresh quench fluid isnot supplied evenly around the entire circumference of the pipe. Warpingand bending of the pipe occurred if diametrically opposed areas on theoutside surface of the pipe were not uniformly quenched at the sametime. Quenching rates were not maximized because normally the quenchfluid was directed against the pipe surface at an angle to the pipe axisso that the spent quench fluid from preceding nozzles tended to build upon the surface of the pipe and thereby shield it from the fresh quenchfluid of axially succeeding nozzles. An example of a related prior artdevice is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,099 by R. C. Schellissued on Oct. 22, 1968.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Generally speaking, the quench system comprises aplurality of jet stream nozzles arranged in parallelly spaced apart andcoaxially aligned annular groups. The nozzles of each annular group aredirected so that the axes of their jet streams lie in a single plane andare pointed inwardly towards the pipe to be quenched. The axes of thejet streams of each annular group are also uniformly offset or angledwith respect to any radial lines extending from the proposed axis of thepipe to be quenched. Preferably the nozzles are incorporated in aplurality of lineal manifolds disposed symmetrically around the pipeaxis and parallel thereto. These manifolds are movably mounted so theirangles of offset may be readily adjusted to optimize quenching rates andto accommodate various pipe sizes. The nozzles are designed to deliversolid jet streams of quench fluid and are located in close proximity tothe pipe surface so as to avoid unnecessary break-up or atomizing of thestreams before they impinge upon the pipe surface. Quenching liquid issupplied to the manifolds under relatively low pressure. With thissystem the jet streams of each annular group, upon striking the pipesurface, become confluent and also spread equally in opposite axialdirections. Because the jet streams of adjacent annular groups aredirected in planes that are parallel to each other and perpendicular tothe pipe axis, the axial components of force of adjacent annular groupscounterbalance each other. Thus there is no mass flow of quench fluidfrom one pair of groups to another. The components of force in lateralor circumferential directions with respect to the pipe are unbalanceddue to the fact that the jet axes are uniformly offset from radiallines. As a result of this unbalance and the influence of contact withthe pipe surface, the confluent portion of the quench streams has radialor centrifugal components which cause it to separate from the pipesurface and become expelled through the space between the adjoiningannular groups of jet streams.

A barrier may be provided at the entrance end of the quench system tolimit the axial flow of the quench fluid from the first group of jetnozzles towards the leading end of the pipe and to maintain the quenchfluid front in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the pipe.This barrier maybe a flexible shield of heat resistant material or abarrier produced by injecting air under pressure through an annulargroup of jet nozzles. If the quench system is divided into separateunits or modules spaced along the axis of pipe travel, such barriers maybe provided in front of each module. Similar barriers may be used at theexit end of the quench system to prevent quench fluid from entering thetrailing end of a pipe.

It is a general object of this invention to produce an annular quenchsystem for uniformly quenching pipes.

It is a more specific object of this invention to produce a quenchsystem for pipes in which the active quench fluid is prevented fromentering either of the open ends of a pipe as it passes longitudinallytherethrough.

It is another object of this invention to produce an annular quenchsystem for pipes which prevents progressive build-up of spent quenchliquid on the surface of the pipe as the pipe travels endwise throughsuccessive groups of quench noules.

It is still another object of this invention to produce an annularquench system for pipes which has means for readily and uniformlyadjusting the impingement angles of the jet streams of quench fluid withrespect to the circumferential surface of the pipe to optimizequenchrates and to adapt the system to various pipe diameters.

It is yet another object of this invention to produce an annular quenchsystem for pipes in which the quench liquid flowing from the front endof the quench is prevented by a barrier from flowing axially along thepipe towards the trailing end of the pipe to be quenched. The front ofthe quench fluid is maintained in a plane perpendicular to the pipe axisby this barrier.

The above mentioned objects and other objects and advantages and themanner of attaining them will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of embodiments of this invention made with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of anembodiment of this invention taken from a direction normal to thecylindrical axis of the quench and with parts broken away to show theinterior details thereof.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the quench apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with partsbroken away to show the axes of the jet streams with respect to thesurface of a pipe to be quenched and also showing the means foradjusting the direction of the jet stream nozzles.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2showing the streamlines of the quench fluid as it is directed againstthe surface of the pipe and expelled therefrom.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged lateral cross sectional view of a lineal manifoldtaken through the axial centerline of a nozzle.

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic end view similar to FIG. 2, with partsbroken away, of an embodiment having the lineal manifolds slidablymounted for lateral movement towards and away from the quench axis.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a modular quench systemadapted for quenching elongated pipes of various diameters. A means isshown for vertically positioning the quench modules with respect to thevertically fixed pipe conveyor.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a quench fluid barrier made from heatresistant bristles arranged in a radial pattern and connected at theirouter ends to an annular frame.

FIG. 8 shows a barrier similar to that in FIG. 7, but having a radiallyslit heat resistant fabric in place of bristles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 of the drawingsshow two embodiments 10 i and 20 of the pipe quenching apparatus of thisinvention that differ from each other primarily in the structure withwhich the quench fluid discharge manifolds are adjustably mounted. Thequench assemblies 10 and 20 each have linear quench fluid dischargemanifolds 22 and 24, respectively, extending parallel to the axis 25 ofthe pipe to be quenched. The manifolds are arranged equidistant fromeach other in a circular pattern that is concentric with the designedaxis of pipe travel. Preferably the quench manifolds have a generally Vshaped lateral cross section with the narrow end of the V pointingtowards the surface of the pipe to be quenched so that the impedance tothe outflow of spent quench fluid, where it must bypass the manifolds,is reduced to a minimum. Quench fluid discharge nozzles 26 are providedalong the narrow edge of the manifolds. The nozzles of one manifold arealigned with the nozzles of the other manifolds so as to form a seriesof parallelly spaced apart and coaxially disposed annular groups ofnozzles with the nozzles of each group being directed so that the axesof their jet streams lie in a plane which is perpendicular to the pipeaxis 25.

The main quench fluid distributor 27 which supplies the quench manifoldsmay be sectioned in half to deliver quench fluid through flexible hosesto every other quench fluid manifold from one side of the distributorand to the balance of the manifolds through hoses connected to the otherside. This provides a means for operating the quench apparatus with onlyhalf of its total number of quench manifolds supplying quench fluid.Such a condition is desirable when the apparatus is being used to quenchrelatively small diameter pipes. Conduits 28 and 29 having separatevalve means (not shown) supply the distributor with quench fluid atrelatively low pressure. For example, a pressure of between 5 and I psiat the nozzle outlets is all that is required.

In installations that are to be used only for one pipe size, thedischarge manifolds may be fixedly mounted and they may be annularrather than linear manifolds. However, when different pipe sizes are to'be quenched, movably mounted linear manifolds are preferred to permitadjustment of the directed angle of the jet streams of quench fluid sothat the most effective operating angle may be obtained for each pipesize proposed. The manifolds 22 are pivotally mounted at their ends byspindle and socket means 30 on annular member 31 of the stationary frame32 of the quench assembly 10. Pivotally attached to the outside surfaceof each manifold 22 is a link means 34 which is, in turn, connected to arotatable ring 36 supported by rollers 38 spaced around the periphery ofring 36. An arm 40 affixed to the ring extends radially outwardtherefrom and has its free end connected to a push-pull rod 42 forrotating the ring a fraction of a revolution to uniformly tilt themanifolds laterally in unison and thereby direct the jet streams ofquench fluid either away from or towards the pipe axis 25.

The linear manifolds 24 shown in FIG. are slidably mounted at each endso that they may be moved laterally either towards or away from the pipeaxis 25. Unlike the manifolds 22, a fixed angular relationship ismaintained between the axes of the jet streams emanating from any onemanifold 24 with respect to those emenating from any other manifold 24.This is accomplished by providing the ends of manifolds 24 with guidelugs 44 which are slidably held in corresponding guide slots 46 ofstationary plates 48 located at the opposite ends of the manifolds.These guide slots are straight and extend symmetrically in generallyradial directions towards the pipe axis 25, but are preferably offset atleast slightly from radial directions. Rotatable cam plates 50 arelocated against the outside surfaces of the guide plates 48 and havecamming slots 54 which cooperate with cam pins 56 extending axiallyoutwardly from the center of guide lugs 44. The camming slots aredisposed at an angle with respect to the guide slots so that therelative rotation of the cam plates with respect to the guide platescauses the ends of the manifolds to be moved in unison towards and awayfrom the pipe axis 25. This arrangement not only permits the use of thequench apparatus on both large and small pipes, but also allows the jetnozzles to be positioned at their most effective distance from the pipesurface. Preferably the manifolds are placed in sufficiently closeproximity to the pipe surface to substantially avoid break-up of the jetstreams of quench fluid before they reach the pipe surface; for example,less than 6 inches from the pipe surface. Another feature of thisembodiment is that the quench manifolds may be retracted outwardly totheir phantom lined positions away from the path of a warped pipeentering the quench assembly.

In both embodiments the quench fluid nozzles 26 are designed to producesubstantially solid jet streams of quench fluid as opposed to sprays ofquench fluid. To accomplish this, the nozzle orifice has a conicalentrance section 58 with about a taper which converges towards acylindrical outlet section 60 having a diameter of between inches and Vinches and a length equivalent to about two diameters (see FIG. 4). Thenozzles 26 are arranged so the axes of the jet streams of quench fluidlie in planar groups which are perpendicular to the pipe axis 25. Theaxes of the streams of each group are uniformly offset from radial linesemanating from the pipe axis. Due to this offset, a whirling or vortexmotion is imparted to the quench fluid where the jet streams becomeconfluent. A circular cavity, that is concentric with the designed axisof pipe travel, is formed in this confluent portion. The diameter ofthis cavity may be varied by canting the pivotally mounted manifolds 22or by sliding the manifolds 24 towards or away from the pipe axis.During quenching the axes of the jet streams are directed so as to forma cavity which, in the absence of a pipe, would have a diameter lessthan the outside diameter of the pipe being quenched. The kinetic energyin the combined jet streams of a planar group arranged in this mannerhas less force in an axial direction along the pipe than if the axes ofthe jet streams were directed either radially in a plane perpendicularto the pipe axis 25 or obliquely in a plane parallel with the pipe axis25. Since the groups of nozzles 26 are uniform throughout and the axesof the jet streams of each group lie in a plane that is perpendicular tothe pipe axis 25, the axial components of flow between the groupscounterbalance each other (see FIG. 3). Due to this counterbalancing andalso the centrifugal forces of the whirling quench fluid, the quenchfluid is expelled from between each planar group and there is nosubstantial build-up of quench fluid along the pipe surface fromnon-adjacent planar groups. The only unchecked axial components of flowemanate from the outside or end groups in a series of quench noulegroups. These unchecked axial flows may be checked by barriers locatedbefore the first and after the last group of a series of groups ofliquid quench nozzles 26. Usually a barrier is required at only theentrance end of the series. The barrier may be a gaseous barrierproduced by a group of nozzles 62 disposed similar to nozzles 26 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). Air or the like gas is supplied to nozzles 62 by meansof a pneumatic conduit 64 at a pressure that is sufficient tocounterbalance the axial momentum of the quench liquid. Thus the quenchliquid may be prevented from entering either or both of the open ends ofthe pipe to be quenched. Although some air from nozzles 62 and quenchliquid mist may be propelled into the open ends of the pipe to bequenched, they do not cause the pipe to be quenched as severely ornon-uniformly as a coherent mass of liquid quench fluid would. Flexiblemechanical type barriers Y may also be used. The example of such abarrier shown in FIG.

7 comprises a circular brush made of metal bristles 66 radially disposedin a plane and secured at their outer ends to a flat peripheral ring 68.A similar barrier made of asbestos fabric is shown in FIG. 8. The fabric70 is mounted on an annular frame 72 and has a small diameter aperture74 through its center with radially disposed slits 76 extendingoutwardly therefrom so that a pipe having a diameter much larger thanthe aperture 74 may be passed through the barrier.

FIG. 6 shows a quench system 80 having a plurality of quench modules 82,similar to quench units 10 or 20, arranged in series to increase theproduction rate of the quench system. Pipe supporting and conveyingrollers are mounted in vertically fixed locations along the axis of pipetravel. Although all of the rollers may be driven rollers 84, the quenchsystem 80 is shown with driven rollers only at the ends of the systemand idler rollers 86 between each quench module. These rollers are Vgrooved rollers which are uniformly skewed with respect to the axis ofpipe travel so as to cause the pipe to rotate as it is being conveyedthrough the quench. Preferably the width and diameter dimensions of therollers are equivalent to 80 percent or more of the pipe diameter to beprocessed. Rollers having these relative dimensions were found to becapable of passing pipes without difiiculty, whereas with rollers ofsmaller dimension the pipe travel was seriously impeded if the leadingend of the pipe had sagged. Quench system 80 is adapted for quenchingpipes of difierent diameters. For this purpose an elevating means suchas hydraulic or mechanical jacks 88 are provided under the quenchmodules so that they may be vertically adjusted in unison to bring thelongitudinal axis of the quench system into alignment with the pipeaxis. The jacks may be driven by a motor 90 which raises or lowers thejacks the required distance when changing from one pipe diameter toanother. Similar elevating means and conveying means may be used on thesingle unit quench system shown in FIG. 1.

While the above description was made with reference to presentlypreferred specific embodiments of this invention, it is to be understoodthat the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the detailsshown in the drawings, but rather is to be limited only by the spirit ofthe attached claims.

I claim:

1. A pass through quench system unit for pipe comprising: means forsupporting said pipe and conveying it lengthwise along a designedhorizontal axis of travel through said unit in addition to rotating saidpipe about its longitudinal axis, said quench unit having a plurality ofelongated quench fluid supply manifolds extending parallel to said axisof travel and equally spaced in a circle therearound, a plurality oforifice members disposed along each of said manifolds and arranged withrespect to each other to provide a series of spaced apart coaxiallydisposed annular groups of orifices lying in planes perpendicular tosaid axis of travel, said members being designed to project solidstreams of quench liquid within said planes and in the general directionof said axis of travel, whereby the jet streams impinging upon thesurface of the pipe from each adjacent pair of annular groupscounterbalance each other to prevent flow in axial directions along thepipe, and means for moving said orifice members in unison to adjust theprojected direction of said streams within said planes.

2. A quench system unit according to claim 1 wherein the orifice membershave a cylindrical bore section at their outlet ends with a diameter ofbetween about ,43 inch and A inch and a length equivalent to about twodiameters.

3. A quench system unit according to claim 2 wherein the ratio of thediameter of the orifice members to the center distance between adjacentorifice members on a manifold is about 1:10.

4. A quench system unit according to claim 1 further including a barrieron the front of said quench unit to prevent quench fluid from splashinginto the leading open end of a pipe to be quenched.

5. A quench system unit according to claim 4 wherein said barrier is agaseous jet stream curtain.

6. A quench system unit according to claim 4 wherein said banier is aflexible shield made of heat resistant material.

7. A quench system unit according to claim 1 wherein the ratio betweenthe radius of the pipe and the distance from the outlet of the orificemembers to said axis of pipe travel is 1:3

or more.

8. A quench system unit according to claim 1 including means for movingsaid orifice members closer to and farther from said axis of pipetravel.

9. A quench system unit according to claim 1 further including a meansfor adjusting the vertical position of the designed axis of pipe travelof said quench unit with respect to its conveying means so that thedesigned axis and actual axis of pipe travel coincide.

10. A pass through quench system for pipe comprising: a plurality ofmodular quench units disposed along a designed horizontal axis of pipetravel, means for supporting said pipe and conveying it lengthwise alongsaid axis of travel through said units in addition to rotating said pipeabout its longitudinal axis, said modular quench units having aplurality of elongated quench fluid supply manifolds extending parallelto said axis of travel and equally spaced in a circle therearound, a

, plurality of orifice members disposed along each of said manifolds andarranged with respect to each other to provide a series of spaced apartcoaxially disposed annular groups of orifices lying in planesperpendicular to said axis of travel, said members being designed toproject solid streams of quench liquid within said planes and in thegeneral direction of said axis of travel, whereby the jet streamsimpinging upon the surface of the pipe from each adjacent pair ofannular groups counterbalance each other to prevent mass flow of quenchfluid in axial directions with respect to the pipe, and means for movingsaid orifice members in unison to adjust the projected direction of saidstreams within said planes.

11. A quench system according to claim 10 further including means foradjusting the relative vertical position of said quench units withrespect to said pipe supporting and conveying means.

12. A quench system according to claim 10 wherein said pipe supportingand conveying means comprises V notch rollers having width and diameterdimensions equivalent to at least percent of the diameter of the pipe tobe quenched.

1. A pass through quench system unit for pipe comprising: means forsupporting said pipe and conveying it lengthwise along a designedhorizontal axis of travel through said unit in addition to rotating saidpipe about its longitudinal axis, said quench unit having a plurality ofelongated quench fluid supply manifolds extending parallel to said axisof travel and equally spaced in a circle therearound, a plurality oforifice members disposed along each of said manifolds and arranged withrespect to each other to provide a series of spaced apart coaxiallydisposed annular groups of orifices lying in planes perpendicular tosaid axis of traveL, said members being designed to project solidstreams of quench liquid within said planes and in the general directionof said axis of travel, whereby the jet streams impinging upon thesurface of the pipe from each adjacent pair of annular groupscounterbalance each other to prevent flow in axial directions along thepipe, and means for moving said orifice members in unison to adjust theprojected direction of said streams within said planes.
 2. A quenchsystem unit according to claim 1 wherein the orifice members have acylindrical bore section at their outlet ends with a diameter of betweenabout 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch and a length equivalent to about twodiameters.
 3. A quench system unit according to claim 2 wherein theratio of the diameter of the orifice members to the center distancebetween adjacent orifice members on a manifold is about 1:10.
 4. Aquench system unit according to claim 1 further including a barrier onthe front of said quench unit to prevent quench fluid from splashinginto the leading open end of a pipe to be quenched.
 5. A quench systemunit according to claim 4 wherein said barrier is a gaseous jet streamcurtain.
 6. A quench system unit according to claim 4 wherein saidbarrier is a flexible shield made of heat resistant material.
 7. Aquench system unit according to claim 1 wherein the ratio between theradius of the pipe and the distance from the outlet of the orificemembers to said axis of pipe travel is 1:3 or more.
 8. A quench systemunit according to claim 1 including means for moving said orificemembers closer to and farther from said axis of pipe travel.
 9. A quenchsystem unit according to claim 1 further including a means for adjustingthe vertical position of the designed axis of pipe travel of said quenchunit with respect to its conveying means so that the designed axis andactual axis of pipe travel coincide.
 10. A pass through quench systemfor pipe comprising: a plurality of modular quench units disposed alonga designed horizontal axis of pipe travel, means for supporting saidpipe and conveying it lengthwise along said axis of travel through saidunits in addition to rotating said pipe about its longitudinal axis,said modular quench units having a plurality of elongated quench fluidsupply manifolds extending parallel to said axis of travel and equallyspaced in a circle therearound, a plurality of orifice members disposedalong each of said manifolds and arranged with respect to each other toprovide a series of spaced apart coaxially disposed annular groups oforifices lying in planes perpendicular to said axis of travel, saidmembers being designed to project solid streams of quench liquid withinsaid planes and in the general direction of said axis of travel, wherebythe jet streams impinging upon the surface of the pipe from eachadjacent pair of annular groups counterbalance each other to preventmass flow of quench fluid in axial directions with respect to the pipe,and means for moving said orifice members in unison to adjust theprojected direction of said streams within said planes.
 11. A quenchsystem according to claim 10 further including means for adjusting therelative vertical position of said quench units with respect to saidpipe supporting and conveying means.
 12. A quench system according toclaim 10 wherein said pipe supporting and conveying means comprises Vnotch rollers having width and diameter dimensions equivalent to atleast 80 percent of the diameter of the pipe to be quenched.